Practically all of the dental clinics around the world have closed their doors to only carrying out emergency treatments, right now. But, thankfully there are a plethora of products available to us, on the internet as well as an endless supply of how-to blogs and vlogs at our fingertips, to help us take care of our teeth at-home.
There is also a lot of misinformation and potentially harmful and futile products floating around the internet.
This inspired us to start our ‘Yay or Nay’ series, where we’ll discuss three of the most-trendiest products that have been promoted as being able to keep our teeth clean, gums healthy and breath fresh, namely, dental scalers, water flossers and tongue cleaners and share whether we believe they should be part of our teeth care regime, or not.
We’ll start with the dental scaler and cover a short refresher on plaque to give some context behind this product.
A Quick Refresher On Plaque.
When plaque is not regularly removed from our teeth and from under our gums, it hardens and forms into calculus (otherwise known as tartar); this is problematic as it can then build up above and below our gums lines, attract more bacteria and eventually contribute to the development of gum disease which can then lead to gum recession, loose teeth and eventually tooth loss — eek!
To prevent plaque build-up, we need to make sure that we are on top of our teeth care at home and are regularly visiting a registered dental professional (dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist) to get a treatment called scaling (getting your teeth professionally cleaned to get that run-your-tongue-over-your-teeth-squeaky-feeling).
What Is A Dental Scaler? And, What Does It Do?
A dental scaler (or otherwise known as a plaque scraper) is a tool that’s used to remove hardened plaque that builds between on our teeth, and under our gums, which can happen when we haven’t brushed our teeth well and long enough and when we haven’t flossed or used interdental brushes between our teeth regularly.
A dental scaler is a metal hand tool with an end shaped like a hook and it’s designed to be able to remove hardened plaque on our teeth and from under our gums. There are also electric versions of dental scalers, called ultrasonic or piezoelectric dental scalers.
Dental scalers are designed to be used by registered professionals to clean our teeth but you can also buy these scalers in stores or online.
The Difference Between Scaling At-Home and Professional Scaling
A registered professional (dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist) has undergone intense training in order to carry out scaling correctly around teeth, gums, bridges, crowns, implants and orthodontic appliances. Their equipment is also safety checked and updated regularly.
They have the skills, experience, and the presence of a supporting team to help where needed. On the surface, scaling may not seem to be so complex, but there is, in fact, a lot to consider which is why a professional will carry out checks and risk assessments to prevent complications such as uncontrolled bleeding.
Yay Or Nay?
The technique, tool and frequency of scaling teeth is a make or break situation for the health of your teeth and gums. Therefore, when it comes to scaling your teeth at home it’s a nay and should be left to the professional.
‘‘Good technique & clinical expertise is key when scaling, and with little visibility, poor lighting and the absence of the correct training, you are not likely to achieve this by yourself at home. Also, if you carry out scaling on yourself at home, you could cause permanent damage to your teeth & gums as well as the possibility of damaging or even removing crowns, bridges, fillings & implants. It’s really not worth the risk!’’ — Rosie Wright, Dental Hygienist.
What You Can Do Instead
If your teeth have felt rough or you’ve noticed hardened plaque buildup on your teeth, the best way to remove it is by getting a professional clean from a registered professional.
However, we know dental clinics are currently not offering this service (due to Lockdown measures), so in the meantime, our recommended game plan is to spend at least once a day interdental cleaning around the buildup (this can actually help soften the hard plaque and will make it easier for your professional to remove during a professional clean), opt for an electric toothbrush and don’t underestimate the power of using it for at least two minutes, twice a day, with fluoride toothpaste, to prevent further buildup.
This article was created with the help of one of uunn’s dental experts, Rosie Wright, to ensure all information is evidence-based.
